System, and associated method, for recovering water from air

ABSTRACT

A system for condensing water from air includes a column having a substantially non-reflective surface effective for absorbing heat energy from the sun and transferring the heat to air in the interior of the column. A condenser is secured within the column, and includes a condensing surface with a thermoelectric or natural gas cooler positioned thereon for cooling the condensing surface. A collector is positioned within the column for collecting water that condenses on and falls from the at least one condensing surface of the condenser, and an accumulator is coupled in fluid communication with the collector for accumulating the water.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 7,478,535,to be issued on Jan. 20, 2009, formerly patent application Ser. No.11/148,483, filed on Jun. 9, 2005.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to recovering water from air, and, moreparticularly, to condensing and collecting water that has been absorbedinto humid air, also known as the atmosphere.

BACKGROUND

The supply of water, and clean water in particular, has progressivelybecome a serious problem in many parts of the world. The ground waterlevel sinks, severe droughts occur, landscapes dry up, and desertsspread. The water which exists in these areas is generally very highlypolluted, which in turn can lead to disease among both people andanimals, with infections, which can result in major disasters.

Many attempts have been made to supply such problem areas with water insome form or other, either by drilling to great depths in the soil tocreate water wells and recover water from under the ground, or bydamming up and channeling as needed water on the surface of the ground.However, there are regions in which water may not be recovered fromunder the ground via wells, and no water is available on the surface ofthe ground that may be dammed and channeled, and such techniques aretherefore not available.

Where sea water is available, plants have been developed for purifyingsuch water in order to provide drinking water. However, sea water is notalways available, or is only available via extensive pipeline systems,and such plants are generally prohibitively expansive to build, andrequire substantial energy to operate.

Where water is not available either under the ground or on the surfaceof the ground, and sea water is not readily available, attempts havebeen made to recover moisture from the atmosphere, that is, byrecovering water which exists in humid air. Techniques which haveheretofore been developed for recovering water from air require complexequipment, such as evaporators, condensers, large fans to force airthrough a system, and/or the like, and substantial space for suchequipment, as well as substantial energy to operate such equipment.

Accordingly, a continuing search has been directed to the development ofsystems and methods which can recover water from the atmosphere, whichsystems and methods do not require complex equipment and substantialamounts of space and energy to operate.

SUMMARY

The present invention, accordingly, provides an apparatus for recoveringwater from air. The apparatus includes a funnel having a non-reflectivesurface oriented for receiving and absorbing heat energy from the sun,and an upwardly-oriented vertex end defining a vertex opening, and adownwardly-oriented base end defining a base opening larger than thevertex opening. The funnel is preferably supported on legs positionedproximate to the base opening of the lower funnel. An upwardly extendingcolumn having a relatively non-reflecting exterior surface is attachedto the vertex opening for facilitating fluid communication by convectionfrom the funnel to the column. A condensing surface is secured withinthe interior of the column, and at least one thermoelectric cooler orcontinuous absorption cooler operable by the application heat furnishedby gas is positioned on the condensing surface for cooling thecondensing surface. A collector is positioned within the column forcatching water that condenses on, and drips from, the condensingsurface. The collector is connected in fluid communication with anaccumulator for receiving and accumulating condensate received by thecollector.

In the operation of the invention, the funnel is heated from sun light,and heat is transferred from the funnel to air inside the funnel,causing the air to rise into, and flow through, the column. Water in theair condenses on the condensing surface, drips from the condensingsurface, is caught by the collector, and accumulated in the accumulatorfor access by a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 exemplifies a perspective view of a water recovery systemembodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 exemplifies a perspective view of an interior of a condenseradapted for use in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 presents a plan view of the condenser of FIG. 2 taken along theline 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 presents an elevation view of the condenser of FIG. 2 taken alongthe line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 exemplifies an alternate embodiment of the water recovery systemof FIG. 1 embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 6 exemplifies an alternate embodiment of the condenser of FIG. 2,wherein a fan is provided to move air and dissipate heat;

FIG. 7 exemplifies a further alternate embodiment of the condenser ofFIG. 2, wherein the walls of the funnel are pleated to facilitatedrainage of water;

FIG. 8 exemplifies a further alternate embodiment of the condenser ofFIG. 7, wherein a fan is provided to move air and dissipate heat;

FIG. 9 presents an elevation cross-sectional view of the condenser ofFIG. 8 taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 exemplifies a further alternate embodiment of the condenser ofFIG. 2, wherein the funnel is conical;

FIG. 11 exemplifies an alternate embodiment of the condenser of FIG. 10,wherein the walls of the funnel are pleated to facilitate drainage ofwater; and

FIG. 12 exemplifies an alternative embodiment of a condenser embodyingfeatures of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, itwill be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present inventionmay be practiced without such specific details. Additionally, for themost part, details concerning thermoelectric coolers, continuousabsorption coolers, solar panels, and the like, have been omittedinasmuch as such details are not considered necessary to obtain acomplete understanding of the present invention, and are considered tobe within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.

Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are, for the sake ofclarity, not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similarelements are designated by the same reference numeral through theseveral views.

In FIG. 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral 100 generallydesignates a water recovery system embodying features of the presentinvention. The system 100 includes a funnel 102, preferably supported ina conventional manner on four legs 104, though any number of legs may beutilized in support of the funnel, or legs may be omitted and openingsformed in the funnel 102 to permit the inflow of air. The funnel 102 ispreferably fabricated from sheet metal, and includes a vertex, or upper,end 102 a defining a vertex, or upper, opening 102 a′, and a base, orlower, end 102 b defining a base, or lower, opening 102 b′ larger thanthe vertex opening 102 a′. The exterior surface of the funnel 102, andoptionally, the interior surface as well, are substantiallynon-reflective surfaces, such as, for example, black surfaces, or otherdark colored substantially non-reflective surfaces.

A column 106 is mounted over the upper opening 102 a′ to facilitatefluid communication between the funnel 102 and the column 106. Thecolumn 106 is preferably fabricated from sheet metal, having across-section which is preferably circular, and includes an exteriorsurface, and optionally, an interior surface as well, which issubstantially reflective, being, for example, metallic, white, or othersubstantially light reflective color. Alternatively, depending on airtemperature and humidity and exposure to sunlight, it may beadvantageous for facilitating convection for all or a portion of theexterior surface, and optionally, interior surface as well, of thecolumn 106 to be substantially non-reflective, being, for example,black, or other substantially dark color, or some grade of reflectivitythat is partially reflective and non-reflective. While the cross-sectionof the column 106 is exemplified as being circular, it may alternativelybe any of a number of different shapes, such as square, triangular, orthe like.

A condenser 110 is positioned within an upper portion of the column 106,and, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 2-3, preferably comprises foursubstantially flat triangular sides, or walls, 111 configured to form afunnel in the shape of an inverted pyramid. A tube 113 extendsdownwardly from an opening formed at a vertex 112 of the condenser 110,and fluid communication is thereby established between the interior ofthe condenser 110 and the interior of the tube 113. The walls 111 andtube 113 are preferably fabricated from sheet metal, though any othersuitable material effective for conducting heat may be utilized. Thecondenser 110 is preferably secured in the column 106 by tack weldingeach of four corners 115 of the condenser 110 to the interior wall ofthe column 106. Alternatively, the condenser 110 may be secured in thecolumn 106 using any other conventional means, such as support arms orbraces extending between the condenser 110 and the column 106, similarto the support arms or braces 117 extending between the collector 114and the column 106, described below with respect to FIG. 2. Thecondenser 110 is described in further detail below.

A collector 114 is preferably positioned within the column 106 under thevertex 112 and tube 113 of the condenser 110 for receiving water thatdrips from the vertex 112 and tube 113. The collector 114 is preferablyconically-shaped, and is supported therein using any conventional means,such as a plurality of metal arms or braces 117 extending between thecollector 114 and the column 106, or (not shown) between the collector114 and the tube 113.

A conduit 116, such as a tube or hose, is preferably connected in fluidcommunication between the collector 114 and an accumulator 118, such asa drum, and extends through the wall of the column 106, for facilitatingthe flow of water from the collector 114 to the accumulator 118. Theaccumulator 118 is configured for accumulating and storing watercaptured by the collector 114, and, but for the conduit 116, ispreferably closed and sealed at the top, though it may alternatively beopen-topped. While not shown, the accumulator 118 preferably alsoincludes means, such as a valve positioned in a lower portion of theaccumulator 118, for enabling a user to conveniently draw water from theaccumulator in a manner well known in the art. The accumulator 118 ispreferably positioned laterally and externally of the funnel 102, butmay alternatively be centrally positioned directly under the funnel 102and condenser 110, and the conduit 116 run straight downwardly from thecollector 114 to the accumulator 118.

The system 100 also includes an electrical power source 120, preferablycomprising one or more batteries 122 and solar panels 124, which arepreferably configured in a conventional manner for working together sothat power may be supplied from the battery when there is little or nosunshine to energize the solar panels. The electrical power source 120is connected via wires 126 for supplying electrical power to the certaincomponents of the condenser 110, described further below. The electricalpower source 120 is preferably self-contained, needing no external powersupply, though external electrical power may optionally be madeavailable through conventional power sources, as needed, should theelectrical power source 120 be unable to supply the quantity of powerneeded by the condenser 110.

FIG. 2 depicts details of one preferred embodiment of the condenser 110.As shown therein, the condenser 110 is configured as a funnel,preferably having the shape of an inverted pyramid preferably with fourwalls 111 fabricated from sheet metal, or the like, effective forconducting heat. Alternatively, the condenser 110 may be configured inany of a number of different ways, and may, by way of example, have moreor less than four walls, or assume alternative configurations asdiscussed below.

At least one continuous absorption type of cooling unit operated by theapplication of a limited amount of heat furnished by gas, PeltierJunction Module, or thermoelectric cooler (TEC), 202 is preferablypositioned on an interior surface of each wall 111 so that, whenenergized, the TEC's absorb heat from, and thereby cool, the walls 111of the condenser 110. The TEC's 202 are electrically coupled via thewires 126 to the power supply 120, and may be interconnected in anyconventional manner, such as by a parallel or serial circuit. TEC's,such as described herein, are considered to be well-known in the artand, therefore, will not be described in further detail herein, exceptinsofar as necessary to describe the invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a plan view of the condenser 110 within the column 106.As exemplified most clearly therein, the TEC's 202 are preferablyserially connected to the wires 126, though they may alternatively beconnected in parallel. Also shown in FIG. 3 are spaces 302 between thecolumn 106 and the condenser 110, to thereby facilitate the upward flowof air through the column 106 and pass the condenser 110, for reasonsdiscussed in further detail below.

FIG. 4 exemplifies a cross-sectional elevation view of the condenser 110in its relation to the collector 114 within the column 106.

In operation, the system 100 is preferably positioned so that the funnel102 is exposed to sunlight which is absorbed by, and thereby heats, thedark or black surface of the funnel 102. Heat from the surface 102 heatshumid air inside the funnel 102, causing the air to convectively rise upin the funnel 102 through the vertex opening 102 a′, into the column106, pass the walls 111 of the condenser 110, and through the spaces302. Electrical power is applied to the TEC's 202 to cause them therebyto cool the walls 111 of the condenser 110. As heated humid air passesover the cooled condenser 110, water in the air condenses onto outersurfaces of the condenser 110. Water condensed onto the outer surface ofthe condenser 110 then flows, from the force of gravity, downwardlytowards the vertex 112 and along the tube 113, and then drips into thecollector 114. Water caught by the collector 114 then flows through theconduit 116 to the accumulator 118, where it is made available for useby a user (not shown) in a conventional manner.

FIG. 5 depicts the details of a water recovery system 500 according toan alternate embodiment of the present invention. Since the waterrecovery system 500 contains many components that are substantiallyidentical to those of the previous embodiment, such components arereferred to by the same reference numerals and will not be described inany further detail. According to the embodiment of FIG. 5, the column106 is replaced by a primary column 506 having a bend 502 formed betweena lower portion 506 a and an upper portion 506 b of the column 506. Thelower portion 506 a of the column 506 is connected in fluidcommunication to the funnel 102, and the upper portion 506 b of thecolumn 506 is connected in fluid communication to a central portion ofan auxiliary column 504. The auxiliary column 504 is preferably asubstantially straight, vertically extending column which defines anopen lower end 504 a and an open upper end 504 b. The condenser 110 andcollector 114 are positioned within the auxiliary column 504 between theopen upper end 504 b of the auxiliary column 504 and the connection ofthe upper portion 506 b of the column 506 to the auxiliary column 504,and are secured thereto similarly as described above with respect toFIGS. 1-4. In further contrast to the water recovery system 100, whereinthe conduit 116 extends through the wall of the column 106, in the waterrecovery system 500, the conduit 116 preferably runs downwardly throughthe open lower end 504 a of the auxiliary column 504.

Operation of the water recovery system 500 is similar to the operationof water recovery system 100, the only material difference being thatwarm humid air passes from the primary column 506 to the auxiliarycolumn 504 before passing over the condenser 110.

FIG. 6 depicts the details of a water recovery system 600 according toan alternate embodiment of the present invention. The system 600 issimilar to the embodiments 100 and 500 described above with respect toFIGS. 1-5, but for the addition of a fan assembly 602 positioned in anupper portion of the condenser 110. The fan assembly 602 includes aconventional fan 604 mounted to a plate 606 which is configured forresting on the condenser 110, to thereby support the fan assembly 602.The fan assembly 602 is electrically coupled via the wires 126 to thepower source 120 for receiving electrical power operative for runningthe fan 604. The plate 606 preferably includes cut-outs 608 configuredfor facilitating and directing the flow of air over the hot side of theTEC's 202, to thereby cool the TEC's. The fan assembly 602 preferablyfurther includes a short slotted duct, or shroud, 610 extendingdownwardly and inwardly (as viewed in FIG. 6) from the fan assembly 602for exhausting air from the heated side of the TEC's 202 and, further,for facilitating and directing the flow of air through the column 106over the TEC's 202.

Operation of the water recover system 600 is substantially similar tothe operation of the invention as described above with respect to FIGS.1-5, but for operation of the fan assembly 602, which facilitatesfurther dissipation of heat from the TEC's 202, to thereby further coolthe surfaces 111 of the condenser 110, to thereby facilitate moreefficient operation of the water recovery system 100 or 500.

FIG. 7 depicts the details of a water recovery system 700 according toan alternate embodiment of the present invention. The system 700 issimilar to the embodiments 100 and 500 described above with respect toFIGS. 1-5, but for the utilization of a condenser 710 having walls 711corresponding to, but different from, the walls 111. In contrast to thewalls 111, the walls 711 are pleated to facilitate the flow of condensedwater from the walls 111 to the tube 113 and collector 114. While thewalls 711 are depicted as pleated, the walls 711, or the respectivesurfaces thereof, may be configured in any suitable manner effective forfacilitating the flow of condensed water from the walls 111, such as aherringbone design, or the like. Operation of the water recovery system700 is similar to the operation of water recovery systems 100 and 500 asdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1-5.

FIGS. 8 and 9 depict the details of a water recovery system 800according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Thesystem 800 is similar to the embodiment 700 described above with respectto FIG. 7, but for the addition of a fan assembly 802 positioned in anupper portion of the condenser 710. The fan assembly 802 is similar tothe fan assembly 602 and, accordingly, includes a conventional fan 804mounted to a plate 806 which is configured for resting on the condenser710, to thereby support the fan assembly 802. The fan assembly 802 iselectrically coupled via the wires 126 to the power source 120 forreceiving electrical power operative for running the fan 804. The plate806 preferably includes cut-outs 808 configured for facilitating anddirecting the flow of air over the hot side of the TEC's 202, to therebycool the TEC's. The fan assembly 802 preferably further includes a duct810 extending downwardly and inwardly from the fan assembly 802 forfurther directing the flow of air over the TEC's 202. Operation of thewater recover system 700 as depicted in FIG. 8 is substantially similarto the operation of the invention as described above with respect toFIG. 6.

FIG. 10 depicts the details of a water recovery system 1000 according toan alternate embodiment of the present invention. The system 1000 issimilar to the embodiments 100 and 500 described above with respect toFIGS. 1-5, but for the utilization of a condenser 1010 having aconical-shaped wall 1011 corresponding to the walls 111. Operation ofthe water recovery system 700 is similar to the operation of waterrecovery systems 100 and 500 as described above with respect to FIGS.1-5.

FIG. 11 depicts the details of a water recovery system 1100 according toan alternate embodiment of the present invention. The system 1100 issimilar to the embodiment 1000 described above with respect to FIG. 10,but for the utilization of a condenser 1010 having walls 1111corresponding to, but different from, the walls 1011, and but for theaddition of a fan assembly 1102 positioned in an upper portion of thecondenser 1010. In contrast to the walls 1011, the walls 1111 arepleated to facilitate the flow of condensed water from the walls 1111 tothe tube 113 and collector 114. While the walls 1111 are depicted aspleated, the walls 1111, or the respective surfaces thereof, may beconfigured in any suitable manner effective for facilitating the flow ofcondensed water from the walls 1111, such as a herringbone design, orthe like.

The fan assembly 1102 is similar to the fan assemblies 602 and 802 and,accordingly, includes a conventional fan 1104 mounted to a plate 1106which is configured for resting on the condenser 1010, to therebysupport the fan assembly 1102. The fan assembly 1102 is electricallycoupled via the wires 126 to the power source 120 for receivingelectrical power operative for running the fan 1104. The plate 1106preferably includes cut-outs 1108 configured for facilitating anddirecting the flow of air over the hot side of the TEC's 202, to therebycool the TEC's. The fan assembly 1102 preferably further includes a duct1110 extending downwardly and inwardly from the fan assembly 1102 forfurther facilitating and directing the flow of air over the TEC's 202.

Operation of the water recover system 1100 as depicted in FIG. 11 issubstantially similar to the operation of the invention as describedabove with respect to FIGS. 6, 8, and 9.

By the use of the present invention, a system and method are disclosedwhich can recover water from the atmosphere, and which do not requirecomplex equipment and substantial amounts of space and energy tooperate.

It is understood that the present invention may take many forms andembodiments. Accordingly, several variations may be made in theforegoing without departing from the spirit or the scope of theinvention. For example, the column 106 or 506 could operate without thefunnel 102, or the column 106 or 506 could in its entirety constitute afunnel without a cylindrical portion. The system 100 may be fabricatedwithout the legs 104, and holes may be perforated in the funnel 102 toallow for the entry of air therein. Still further, the condenser 110,710, or 1010 may be modified, as exemplified in FIG. 12 by a condenser1210, wherein larger and/or additional TEC's 202 are positioned on theinterior of the walls 111 and arranged thereon (e.g., side-by-side orstacked) and/or shaped to thereby maximize the portion of the surface ofthe walls 111 that is cooled by the TEC's.

In a still further variation of the foregoing, as an alternative tocooling provided by the TEC's 202, the walls 111, 711, 1011, and/or 1111of a respective condenser may be cooled using other cooling andrefrigeration technologies, such as natural gas technologies, including(1) a continuous absorption type of cooling unit operated by theapplication of a limited amount of heat furnished by natural gas (e.g.,as developed by Servel, Inc.) (or alternatively, heated by electricity,kerosene, and/or any other suitable fuel), (2) engine driven chillers,(3) desiccant dehumidification systems, and/or the like. It isconsidered that such alternative cooling technologies are well-known inthe art, and that a person skilled in the art, upon a reading of theinvention disclosed herein, could implement such technologies and,therefore, will not be discussed in further detail herein.

Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain ofits preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosedare illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range ofvariations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplatedin the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of thepresent invention may be employed without a corresponding use of theother features. Many such variations and modifications may be consideredobvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review ofthe foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it isappropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in amanner consistent with the scope of the invention.

1. A system for condensing water from air, the system comprising: acolumn, at least a portion of which comprises a substantiallynon-reflective surface effective for absorbing heat energy from the sunand transferring said heat to air in the interior of said column, saidcolumn further defining an open first end and an open second end; acondenser secured within said column, said condenser having at least onecondensing surface; at least one natural gas cooler positioned on saidat least one condensing surface of said condenser for cooling said atleast one condensing surface; an electrical power source coupled forproviding electrical power to said to said at least one natural gascooler; a collector positioned within said column for collecting waterthat condenses on and falls from said at least one condensing surface ofsaid condenser; and an accumulator coupled in fluid communication withsaid collector for accumulating said water.
 2. The system of claim 1,further comprising legs positioned at said first end for supporting saidcolumn in an elevated position.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein saidfirst end is a lower end, said second end is an upper end, and saidlower end includes a portion configured as a funnel having asubstantially non-reflective surface effective for absorbing heat energyfrom the sun and transferring said heat energy to air inside saidfunnel.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said first end is a lower end,said second end is an upper end, and said lower end includes a portionconfigured as a funnel having a substantially non-reflective surfaceeffective for absorbing heat energy from the sun and transferring saidheat energy to air inside said funnel; and said system further compriseslegs secured to said funnel portion for supporting said funnel portionand column in an elevated position.
 5. The system of claim 1, whereinsaid column is an auxiliary column, and said system further comprises aprimary column coupled in fluid communication to said auxiliary column.6. The system of claim 1, wherein said column is an auxiliary column,and said system further comprises a primary column coupled in fluidcommunication to said auxiliary column; and wherein said primary columndefines an open lower end and an open upper end, and said lower endincludes a portion configured as a funnel having a substantiallynon-reflective surface effective for absorbing heat energy from the sunand transferring said heat energy to air inside said funnel.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein said non-reflective surface is asubstantially black surface.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said atleast one condensing surface includes at least three substantiallytriangular condensing surfaces configured substantially to form apyramid having a vertex, and said collector is positioned under saidvertex for receiving water that condenses on and falls from said atleast three substantially triangular condensing surfaces.
 9. The systemof claim 1, wherein said at least one surface includes at least threesubstantially triangular surfaces configured substantially to form apyramid having a vertex, and said collector is positioned under saidvertex for receiving water that condenses on and falls from said atleast three substantially triangular surfaces; and said at least threesubstantially triangular surfaces define ridges formed thereon forincreasing the surface area of said at least three surfaces and forfacilitating movement of water toward said vertex.
 10. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said natural gas coolers are continuous absorptioncoolers.
 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fanelectrically coupled to said power source for receiving operating power,and said fan being positioned for moving air to thereby dissipate heatfrom said natural gas coolers.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein saidpower supply includes at least one solar panel configured for convertingsolar energy to electrical energy effective for operating said naturalgas coolers.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein said power supplyincludes at least one battery effective for supplying electrical energyto said natural gas coolers.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein saidpower supply includes at least one battery and at least one solar panelcoupled with said at least one batter, said solar panel being configuredfor converting solar energy to electrical energy effective for operatingsaid natural gas coolers.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein said atleast one condensing surface is a conical surface.
 16. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said condensing surface is positioned in an upperportion of said column.
 17. A method for condensing water from air, themethod comprising steps of: positioning a column having a substantiallynon-reflective surface to receive sunlight effective for heating saidnon-reflective surface and thereby to heat air within the interior ofsaid column; securing a condenser within said column, said condenserhaving at least one condensing surface; positioning at least one naturalgas cooler on said at least one condensing surface of said condenser forcooling said at least one condensing surface; coupling an electricalpower source to said to said at least one natural gas cooler forproviding electrical power thereto; positioning a collector within saidcolumn for collecting water that condenses on and falls from said atleast one condensing surface of said condenser; and coupling anaccumulator in fluid communication with said collector for accumulatingsaid water.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step ofpositioning legs at said first end for supporting said column in anelevated position.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein said first end isa lower end, said second end is an upper end, and said lower endincludes a portion configured as a funnel having a substantiallynon-reflective surface effective for absorbing heat energy from the sunand transferring said heat energy to air inside said funnel.
 20. Themethod of claim 17, wherein said first end is a lower end, said secondend is an upper end, and said lower end includes a portion configured asa funnel having a substantially non-reflective surface effective forabsorbing heat energy from the sun and transferring said heat energy toair inside said funnel; and said method further comprises the step ofsecuring legs to said funnel portion for supporting said funnel portionand column in an elevated position.
 21. The method of claim 17, whereinsaid column is an auxiliary column, and said method further comprisesthe step of coupling a primary column in fluid communication to saidauxiliary column.
 22. The method of claim 17, wherein said column is anauxiliary column, and said system further comprises a primary columncoupled in fluid communication to said auxiliary column; and whereinsaid primary column defines an open lower end and an open upper end, andsaid lower end includes a portion configured as a funnel having asubstantially non-reflective surface effective for absorbing heat energyfrom the sun and transferring said heat energy to air inside saidfunnel.
 23. The method of claim 17, wherein said non-reflective surfaceis a substantially black surface.
 24. The method of claim 17, whereinsaid at least one condensing surface includes at least threesubstantially triangular condensing surfaces configured substantially toform a pyramid having a vertex, and said collector is positioned undersaid vertex for receiving water that condenses on and falls from said atleast three substantially triangular condensing surfaces.
 25. The methodof claim 17, wherein said at least one surface includes at least threesubstantially triangular surfaces configured substantially to form apyramid having a vertex, and said method further comprises the step ofpositioning said collector under said vertex for receiving water thatcondenses on and falls from said at least three substantially triangularsurfaces; and said at least three substantially triangular surfacesdefine ridges formed thereon for increasing the surface area of said atleast three surfaces and for facilitating movement of water toward saidvertex.
 26. The method of claim 17, wherein said natural gas coolersutilize continuous absorption cooling technology.
 27. The method ofclaim 17, further comprising the steps of electrically coupling a fan tosaid power source for receiving operating power, and positioning saidfan for moving air to thereby dissipate heat from said natural gascoolers.
 28. The method of claim 17, wherein said power supply includesat least one solar panel configured for converting solar energy toelectrical energy effective for operating said natural gas coolers. 29.The method of claim 17, wherein said power supply includes at least onebattery effective for supplying electrical energy to said natural gascoolers.
 30. The method of claim 17, wherein said power supply includesat least one battery and at least one solar panel coupled with said atleast one batter, said solar panel being configured for converting solarenergy to electrical energy effective for operating said natural gascoolers.
 31. The method of claim 17, wherein said at least onecondensing surface is a conical surface.
 32. The method of claim 17,wherein the step of positioning said at least one natural gas coolerfurther comprises positioning said condensing surface in an upperportion of said column.